Cleaning implement



Aug. 6, 1963 L. M. NASH 3,099,855

CLEANING IMPLEMENT Filed Feb. 1, 1962 2 Sheets$heet 1 ATTORNEY Aug. 6, 1963 L. M. NASH CLEANING IMPLEMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 1, 1962 BY fl kmz 7 AM ATTORNEY 3,099,855 CLEANHNG MIPLEMENT Lawrence M. Nash, East Brunswick, NJL, assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ, a corporation of New Jersey Filed Feb. 1, 1962, Ser. No. 170,345 2 Claims. (Q1. 15231) The present invention relates to an improved cleaning tool or implement provided with a removable and disposable cleaning, mopping or dusting fabric or cloth attached to its head. More particularly, the present inven tion is concerned with such a cleaning implement provided with improved fabric-holding means for rapidly and easily attaching the cleaning fabric to the head of the cleaning implement before use and for rapidly and easily permitting its removal therefrom after use.

It has been long recognized by persons skilled in domestic science that many household cleaning, mopping and dusting tasks are simplified by using a cleaning implement provided with a removable and disposable cleaning fabric attached to the end of an elongated handle. Such a cleaning implement permits floors to be cleaned, mopped, or dusted without requiring the housewife to bend excessively, thereby avoiding the development of back aches and muscular sprains and strains. Also, if the cleaning implement is not too heavy or too unwieldy, it permits the housewife to clean the walls, ceilings and other difficulty accessible parts of the home without the necessity of precariously climbing to elevated positions on ladders, chairs, etc., as is now customary.

The use of a removable and disposable fabric also is an improvement over previously used cleaning tools wherein the dusting or cleaning portion was not removable and disposable but had to be onerously removed to be recleaned and reused over and over again.

The present invention provides an imporved fabricholding means whereby the disposable cleaning fabric can be readily and easily placed on the head of the cleaning implement for use and subsequently can be readily and easily removed therefrom after use for disposal or other purposes.

A better understanding of the present invention and the structural features thereof will be gained from a consideration of the following description and accompanying drawings wherein there are described and illustrated preferred embodiments of the present inventive concept. In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of the improved cleaning implement of the present invention, with removable cleaning fabric in open, unattached condition and with some parts cut away to show details;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cleaning implement of FIG. 1, showing the cleaning fabric partially attached thereto and capable of use in such semi-attached condition;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cleaning implement of FIG. 1, showing the cleaning fabric more fully attached thereto and capable of use in such condition;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged exploded, fragmentary plan view of one end of the head of the cleaning implement of FIG. 1, partially cut away to show details of the improved fabric holding element;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary respective view of a part of the fabric holding element showing details thereof;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the head of the cleaning implement, taken on the line 66 of FIG. 2, in the direction indicated;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a modification of the cleaning implement of FIGS. 1 through 6;

FIG. 8 is an exploded plan view of the modification of the cleaning implement of FIG. 7, partially cut away and with parts removed to show details of the improved clothholding element; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the head of the cleaning implement, taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 7, in the direction indicated.

The general nature of the cleaning implement will be apparent from a consideration of the following description read in view of the accompanying drawings. In FIGURES 1 through 6, there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention showing a cleaning implement 10 comprising a conventional elongated handle 12 which is secured by means of a swivel connection 14 to a flat, elongated head 16 having a generally rectangular shape.

The swivel connector 14 is of the universal joint type and is capable of being inclined to substantially any desired angular relationship with respect to the fiat, elongated head 16. lit is not essential that this particular type of swivel connector be used and substantially any hinged or swivel connector can be used, provided it possesses sufiicient angular adjustability.

The flat, elongated head 16 is illustrated in FIGURES 1-6 as substantially rectangular and such a shape is preferred for most applications of the cleaning implement 10. Other shapes such as oval, elliptical, triangular, circular, and even square, etc., could be used where such other shapes perform more efiiciently or easier.

The fiat, elongated head 16 is preferably made of wood, plastic, or other relatively inexpensive materials of a relatively rigid or semi-rigid nature. A facing or cushion 26 of an easily deformable material such as foamed or sponge rubber is adhered to the lower surface ofthe head 16. Such a cushioning effect exerted by the facing 26 permits the head to more desirably and more efiicienrtly contact the surface being cleaned. The facing 26 is preferably made of a foamed polyurethane resin but substantially any equivalent cushioning material can be used.

A resilient elastic band or rubber bumper 18 is fitted into a peripheral groove 20 passing around the sides of the 'head 16 of the cleaning implement 10 and is secured in position by a nail 22 or equivalent fastening means (see FIG. 6). This bumper 18 is preferably made of natural or synthetic rubber but can be made of any desired resilient material capable of cushioning any contacts made with Walls, furniture, etc., during use of the cleaning implement 10.

A cleaning fabric 30 having a relatively soft, absorbent, drapeable character is adapted to be wrapped around the head 16 either partially :or substantially completely in order to help in the cleaning operation. The cleaning fabric 30 is preferably of the non-woven fabric type chemically treated in such a manner that dust adheres to its surface. Fabrics of this type are comercially available at the present time and they possess many advantages which commend them for use with the present invention. They are substantially lint-free and are so relatively inexpensive that they can be discarded without substantial economic loss when they become dirty or loaded with dust. It is, of course, apparent that other types of cleaning cloth can be used. Such other fabrics which can be used are Woven cloth, knitted materials, felt, and the like.

Horizontally extending, relatively narrow slots 32 are cut or otherwise formed in the ends of the head :16, as shown in FIGURE 1, and vertically .entendingcircular openings 34, 35 are formed in the top surface of the head 16 to a :depth extending below the horizontal slots 32, as shown in FIGURE 6. The slots 32 and the openings 34, 35 intersect, as shown. The slots 32 are of such a thickness as to receive snugly therein flat flexible plate-like members 36 in which are formed the fabric holding means 38. These plates 36 may be secured within the slots 32 by any desired fastening means.

The plate-like members 36 are made of any sufiiciently flexible material and preferably a plastic material such as cellulose acetate, vinyl sheeting, etc., is used, provided it can :be flexed and still resiliently return to its original configuration without being permanently bent.

As shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, the fabric-holding means 38 which is formed in the plates 36 comprises a plurality of slits 40 which extend radii-like from a common center, thereby forming substantially triangular segments 44 which extend like pieces of pie around a common center. Openings 42 are formed in the plate 36 at this common center as well as at the outer extremities of the slits 40 to provide increased flexibility and resiliency to the substantially triangular segments 44.

The horizontally extending slot 32 and the vertically, directed holes 34 and 35 in the flat, elongated head 16 are so positioned and directed that the plate 36, when fitted into the slot 32, aligns the slits 40 and the openings 42 substantially centrally in the holes 34, 35, preferably with the center of the holes 34, 35 coinciding with the common center of the slits 40.

It will be appreciated, from FIGURE 6, that, when a cleaning fabric 3!) is placed over the openings 34, 35 in the flat, elongated head and manually pressed downwandly against the triganula-r segments 44, these segments will resiliently yield downwardly to permit a small part of the cleaning fabric 30 to penetrate through the slits 40 and openings 42. When the manual pressure is released from the cleaning cloth 30, the triangular segments 44 resiliently spring upwardly to hold the cleaning cloth in position and prevent its slipping accidentally therefrom. The gripping action is suflicient to hold the cleaning fabric in proper position on the flat, elongated head during its normal usage.

As shown in FIGURES 1 through 3, the assembly of the cleaning fabric to the flat, elongated head takes place in stages. First, both corners of one end of the cleaning fabric are inserted into the two circular holes 34, 34 and secured therein by simply pressing the corners into gripping engagement with the slits 40 and triangular segments 44 of the fabric holding means 38. The resulting configuration is shown in FIGURE 2. The cleaning implement may be used in such form, if desired. Or, both corners of the other end of the cleaning cloth may then be inserted into the other two circular holes 35, 35 and pressed into a more secure condition, as shown in FIGURE 3. The cleaning implement is then ready for use.

A modification of the cleaning implement is shown in FIGURES 7 (through 9. The basic difierence lies in the use of an oval or elliptically shaped flat, elongated head 50, rather than a rectangular shaped head. The oval head 54 is provided with a conventional elongated handle 52 and a conventional swivel connector 54. A peripherally positioned rubber bumper 56 and a bottom cushion facing 58 are also employed. In this modification, however, only two circular holes 60, 60 are used and the flexible plates 62 cooperating with the circular holes 60, 60 are correspondingly modified in outline to conform to the oval end shape of the oval head 50. Only one fabric gripping means 64 is used in each plate 62 and it includes a plurality of slits 66 and holes 68 in the usual manner, as described hereinbefore.

In the fabric holding means shown in FIGURES 7 through 9, only three radial slits 66 are used rather than the six radial slits 40 previously shown in FIGURES 1 through 6. The number of slits can be varied according to the individual circumstances but in most cases from three slits to about six slits have been found most desirable.

In the event that a greater length of head is desired so that greater areas are covered, such as in the sweeping of bowling alleys, a greater width of fabric is used and in such cases it is often desirable to include additional holes and fabric-holding plates in the center of the head adjacent the swivel connector so that the cleaning cloth is held more securely. As many as six or eight holes and plates may be used, if necessary.

Although several specific examples of the inventive concept have been described and illustrated, the invention should not be construed as limited thereby nor to the specific features mentioned therein but may include various other equivalent features as set forth in the claims appended hereto. It is understood that any suitable changes, modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A cleaning implement comprising: a flat head memher having a top and a bottom surface, a front and a rear surface, and end surfaces; an elongated drapeable cleaning fabric wrapped around said flat head member; and fabric-holding means at opposite ends of said flat head member for attaching the ends of said drapeable cleaning fabric thereto, the top surface of said flat head member having vertically extending openings therein adjacent the ends thereof, the end surfaces of said flat head member having horizontally extending slots therein intersecting with said vertically extending openings, said fabric-holding means comprising a plurality of thin, flexible plates, with a plate fitted into each slot formed in said flat head member, each flexible plate having a plurality of slits therein passing through a common point, thereby forming a plurality of resilient, substantially triangular segments having apexes at said common point, said plurality of slits passing through a common point and the substantially triangular segments formed thereby being located within the opening formed in the flat head member, with the ends of said drapeable cleaning fabric being gripped and held in place on said flat head member by the apexes of the resilient, substantially triangular segments of said fabric-holding means.

2. A cleaning implement comprising: a flat, elongated head member; an elongated drapeable cleaning fabric wrapped around said flat head member and covering the bottom surface of said flat head member; and fabric-holding means adjacent the end surfaces of said flat head member for attaching the ends of said drapeable cleaning fabric to the top surface thereto, said top surface of said flat head member having vertically extending openings adjacent the ends thereof and said end surfaces of said flat head member having horizontally extending slots therein intersecting with and passing through said vertically extending openings, said fabric-holding means comprising a relatively thin, flexible plate fitted into each slot formed in said flat head member, each flexible plate having a plurality of slits therein passing through a common point, thereby forming a plurality of resilient, substantially triangular segments having apexes at said common point, said plurality of slits which pass through a common point and the substantially triangular segments formed thereby being located in the opening formed in the flat head member, with the ends of said drapeable cleaning fabric being gripped and held in place on said flat head member by the apexes of the resilient, substantially triangular segments of said fabric-holding means.

References Cited in the file of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS 195,604 Switzerland Feb. 15, 1938 280,117 Switzerland Apr. 1, 1952. 440,856 Italy Oct. 20, 1948 

2. A CLEANING IMPLEMENT COMPRISING: A FLAT, ELONGATED HEAD MEMBER; AN ELONGATED DRAPEABLE CLEANING FABRIC WRAPPED AROUND SAID FLAT HEAD MEMBER AND COVERING THE BOTTOM SURFACE OF SAID FLAT HEAD MEMBER; AND FABRIC-HOLDING MEANS ADJACENT THE END SURFACES OF SAID FLAT HEAD MEMBER FOR ATTACHING THE ENDS OF SAID DRAPEABLE CLEANING FABRIC TO THE TOP SURFACE THERETO, SAID TOP SURFACE OF SAID FLAT HEAD MEMBER HAVING VERTICALLY EXTENDING OPENINGS ADJACENT THE ENDS THEREOF AND SAID END SURFACES OF SAID FLAT HEAD MEMBER HAVING HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING SLOTS THEREIN INTERSECTING WITH AND PASSING THROUGH SAID VERTICALLY EXTENDING OPENINGS, SAID FABRIC-HOLDING MEANS COMPRISING A RELATIVELY THIN, FLEXIBLE PLATE FITTED INTO EACH SLOT FORMED IN SAID FLAT HEAD MEMBER, EACH FLEXIBLE PLATE HAV- 